Is there parking at Original 40 Brewing?

North Park's University Ave has street parking, and there's typically lot availability nearby—it's not a valet situation, but you won't usually circle for ages. The spot's popular but not impossible to access.

Can I walk in, or do I need a reservation?

Walk-ins are fine and the place is built for groups and casual drop-bys, but on weekends it can get packed. If you're coming with a crew of 6+, call ahead to make sure they can handle you without a long wait.

What beer should I order first?

Start with the Most Necessary IPA or the Mexican Lager—both are solid. The West Coast IPA gets serious love too. You're at a brewery, so order a flight if you can't decide.

What food actually hits here?

The Korean BBQ flatbread, Korean tacos, and burgers are legit. Mussels and steak frites are solid if you want something heavier; pretzel appetizer is a good crowd-pleaser. Portions are solid for the price.

Is this place dog-friendly?

Original 40 has open-air seating and outdoor space, which is great for dogs—North Park's dog scene is real. Bring your pup to the patio without worry.

Is it good for families with kids?

Absolutely. It's casual, the vibe is chill, food options appeal to different ages, and kids can run around a bit on the outdoor space. This is a neighborhood spot, not a bro-heavy beer bar.

When's the best time to visit if I want to avoid a wait?

Weeknights and earlier hours (before 6pm) are your move if you hate standing around. Weekends and evening post-beach crowds will pack it, so plan accordingly.

Do you have options for people who don't drink beer?

They serve wine and have a solid food menu, so non-beer drinkers aren't left hanging. This isn't a beer-only joint—it's a brewery bar-and-grill where everyone fits.

Original 40 Brewing Company — San Diego

“Original 40 Brewing Company built its tap list first and retrofitted a full kitchen second, which explains why the Mexican lager gets more love than the menu.”

This isn't Tribute Pizza, where the food and beer get equal billing — Original 40 is a brewery that happens to serve more than pretzels, and locals treat it accordingly. The open-air layout along University spills onto the sidewalk like a proper beer garden, all picnic tables and no pretense, the kind of spot where you post up after Morley Field or before hitting the Observatory down the block. The Most Necessary IPA earns its cult status among North Park's beer-literate crowd, and the Mexican lager moves fast enough that kegs don't sit.

The food menu reads like a brewery kitchen that got ambitious — Korean BBQ flatbread, poutine fries, a BLAT that swaps standard bacon for something more interesting. The steak frites and mussels surprise people who came for pints and stayed for dinner. It's all competent, occasionally impressive, but nobody's driving here for the burger when they could walk here for the West Coast IPA.

Pricing transparency remains a sore spot for regulars — four-packs aren't always marked clearly, and tap prices can feel negotiable in the wrong direction. But the beer garden setup compensates: enough space that you're not eavesdropping on strangers, enough shade that day-drinking doesn't feel punishing, enough taps that the couple who can't agree on hazy versus clean both leave happy.

Park on the side streets north of University. The weekend afternoon crowd skews groups and post-everything hangs. Weeknights stay mellow enough for laptop work if you can ignore the tap list calling.